In the early morning hours of October 18, 1984, a horrific tragedy unfolded in Evansville, Indiana, forever scarring the community. Seven-year-old Christopher Anderson 'Chris' Day, a young boy with his whole life ahead of him, was tragically killed. The perpetrator was his own father, James A. Day, an electrician with a known history of domestic violence.
In an unimaginable act, James shot each of his six children, including Christopher, once in the head as they slept in their beds.
The other children who lost their lives that day were Laura, 6, Stephen, 8, John, 9, Bart, 14, and Michael, 15. After carrying out these heinous acts, James A. Day then sat in a living room chair and took his own life. The devastating scene was discovered later that morning by the children's mother, Candace Day, when she returned home from work. Her screams upon finding her family shattered the quiet of the neighborhood, alerting others to the grim reality within the home.
Investigations revealed no signs of forced entry, leading authorities to conclude that the father had meticulously planned the killings. Neighbors and police records confirmed a history of violence, with the family having previously sought refuge at a battered women's shelter. Despite these warning signs, the tragic events transpired without intervention. As the perpetrator died by suicide, there were no arrests or suspects to pursue in the wake of the murder-suicide. The community was left to grapple with the shock and mourn the profound loss of six innocent children.
